Scientist – Viral Vector Engineering

Pharmaceutical Company; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Pharmaceutical Company in South San Francisco seeks a Scientist to support LVV and AAV production platforms, focusing on yield, throughput, and quality.

You will contribute to upstream and downstream process development, automate workflows, and perform vector characterization in a collaborative research setting.

Ideal candidates have MS/PhD and 3+ years' experience, with hands-on LVV vector work.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in a related field.
• 3+ years laboratory or industry experience.
• Hands-on LVV and AAV experience is preferred.
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills.
• Excellent communication and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Develop high-throughput LVV and AAV workflows using automated systems.
• Optimize cell culture, transfection, harvest timing.
• Apply DOE to improve yield and efficiency.
• Develop downstream purification including filtration and chromatography.
• Perform viral vector characterization and maintain records.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot.

Skills

LVV production

AAV production

Cell culture

DOE/Design of Experiments

qPCR/ddPCR

Western blotting

Data analysis

Automation in the lab

Team collaboration

Education

MS or PhD in related field

Tools

Liquid handling robots

Ambr bioreactor

Filtration systems

PCR/qPCR

Job description

We are seeking a collaborative and driven Scientist to support the development and optimization of lentiviral vector (LVV) and adeno-associated virus (AAV) production platforms. This role will focus on improving viral vector production yield, throughput, quality, and turnaround time to support research screening and therapeutic pipeline studies.

The successful candidate will contribute to upstream and downstream process development, high-throughput automation, and viral vector characterization in a collaborative research environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize high-throughput LVV and AAV production workflows using automated liquid handling systems and mini-scale bioreactor platforms.
• Optimize suspension-based lentiviral vector production, including cell culture, plasmid transfection, harvest timing, and process parameters.
• Apply Design of Experiments (DOE) and statistical analysis to improve production yield, consistency, and efficiency.
• Develop downstream purification processes, including filtration, tangential flow filtration (TFF), ultrafiltration/diafiltration, and chromatography.
• Perform viral vector characterization and quality assessments using appropriate molecular and analytical techniques.
• Analyze experimental data, maintain accurate laboratory records and vector inventories, and prepare SOPs, technical reports, and technology transfer documentation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional research teams to troubleshoot experiments and improve production workflows.

Required Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Virology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Genetics, or a related discipline.
• 3+ years of laboratory research or industry experience.
• Hands-on experience with ex vivo CAR-T cell engineering using lentiviral vectors (required).
• Proficiency in mammalian cell culture, transient plasmid transfection, and molecular biology techniques, including PCR, qPCR/ddPCR, and Western blotting.
• Strong analytical, data interpretation, documentation, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience producing LVV or AAV in adherent or suspension cell systems.
• Knowledge of upstream and downstream process development and DOE-based optimization.
• Experience with automated liquid handling systems, such as Integra Assist Plus or Bravo, and mini-scale bioreactors, such as Ambr.
• Familiarity with viral vector characterization, flow cytometry, electronic laboratory notebooks, and BSL-2 laboratory operations.

Ideal Candidate

A detail-oriented and analytical scientist who can independently execute experiments, troubleshoot technical challenges, optimize viral vector workflows, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional research teams.